Title :
A model of breakdown in parallel-plate detectors
Author_Institution :
Lab. de Instrum. e Fisica Exp. de Particulas, Inst. Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra, Portugal
fDate :
30 Oct-5 Nov 1994
Abstract :
Parallel-plate avalanche chambers (PPACs) have many desirable properties as fast, large area, particle detectors. However, the maximum gain is limited by a form of violent breakdown that limits the usefulness of this detector, despite its evident other qualities. A previous experimental study is now complemented by a quantitative model of the breakdown phenomenon, based on the “streamer theory”. The model reproduces well the peculiar behaviour of the external current, as observed in PPACs and resistive-plate chambers. Other breakdown properties measured in PPACs are also well reproduced. Some limitations of the model are discussed and alternative mechanisms are proposed
Keywords :
avalanche breakdown; ionisation chambers; streamer chambers; breakdown model; external current; large area particle detectors; maximum gain; parallel-plate avalanche chambers; parallel-plate detectors; quantitative model; resistive-plate chambers; streamer theory; Avalanche breakdown; Computational efficiency; Electric breakdown; Electrons; Gases; Instruments; Ionization; Poisson equations; Predictive models; Radiation detectors;
Conference_Titel :
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, 1994., 1994 IEEE Conference Record
Conference_Location :
Norfolk, VA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-2544-3
DOI :
10.1109/NSSMIC.1994.474473
